President Bola Tinubu is set to establish a high-powered committee to investigate the recurring incidents of tanker explosions in Nigeria and implement robust safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, announced this initiative on Sunday during his visit to the Emir of Suleja's Palace. The visit was to commiserate with victims of Saturday’s tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Idris disclosed that the committee would include representatives from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), tanker drivers’ associations, and other key stakeholders. The committee will work to develop actionable solutions and policies aimed at improving tanker safety across the country.
Additionally, the Minister stated that his ministry would launch enlightenment campaigns to promote safe fuel tanker transportation, road safety practices, and awareness about the dangers of scooping leaked fuel.
Idris was accompanied by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside other top government officials. The delegation visited various hospitals in Suleja, where 55 injured individuals from the explosion were receiving medical care. They also planned to visit Dikko Junction, now a stark reminder of the devastating risks posed by fuel tankers on Nigerian roads.
The tragic explosion on January 18, 2025, claimed at least 86 lives and left 55 others injured. Many of the victims were scooping fuel from a fallen tanker when the explosion occurred.
Tanker explosions have become alarmingly frequent in Nigeria, especially as petrol prices have skyrocketed since President Tinubu took office in May 2023. Earlier in January, a tanker fire in Agbor, Delta State, killed five people. In October 2024, a catastrophic explosion in Jigawa State claimed more than 170 lives, with scores injured.
The rise in tanker explosions comes amid Nigeria’s worst economic crisis in decades, marked by soaring inflation and widespread poverty. Inflation rates have exceeded 30% for months, with a high of 34% in June 2024 before easing to 32.7% in September. Over 56% of Nigerians now live below the poverty line, a sharp increase from 40% in 2018, according to the World Bank.
The frequency and severity of these explosions highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of fuel transportation, address economic hardships, and protect lives on Nigeria’s roads.
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